Chapter 188: Young Girl, Is This What You Dropped…

“Where did you get this information? I really want to punch that guy…”

“What? Who?”

“Cough, I meant, like, gossip or similar. Don’t mind the details.”

Gently brushing aside her bangs that covered her dark circles, the Light Tribe girl, with a somewhat gloomy aura, subtly curved the corners of her mouth, seemingly in a slightly better mood from the casual chit-chat with Miss White Fox.

“So, you admit it?”

“Yeah, yeah, I admit it! I’m indeed Xī, you got it right.”

Since she hadn’t planned to hide it anyway.

However, this Ella Light indeed had some skills. Though her features were quite obvious, seeing through someone’s identity from mere snippets of information and brief contact required a very sharp observational ability and decisive judgment.

Even guessing, she got it right, didn’t she?

“As a reward for answering the question correctly, here, take these little trinkets.”

Saying this, Miss White Fox lifted her hand and casually tossed a package about the size of a human head towards the girl.

“What is this…?!”

Instinctively catching it, a confused Ella began to loosen the seal, and a dazzling golden light nearly blinded her!

That was—an entire bag of high-quality Light Element Magic Crystals!

As a scholar from the Theological Hall, Ella often dealt with these precious minerals that emerged from the earth’s energy, full of rich magical power. Various mercenary activities and academic research required utilizing different properties of magic crystals for convenience.

But those were basically first or maybe second or third-tier magic crystals, mostly mixed with impurities, even if they were over fifty percent pure, they could barely be considered fine and were treated like treasures.

As for the more valuable fourth-tier crystals, she’d only seen senior professors occasionally display them at large symposiums in the Theological Hall.

You see, every level’s rating of magic crystals increases tenfold in value, disregarding purity. A single fourth-tier crystal’s market price could equal that of over ten high-purity third-tier crystals, which is nearly a hundred thousand Holy Light Coins—equivalent to a big research society’s entire annual budget.

But here…

With her fingertips trembling slightly, Ella carefully picked out one from the several hundred glittering magic crystals, stroking its translucent, smooth shell, her astonishment nearly overwhelming her two hundred years of accumulated composure and grace.

This coloration, the almost surging light aura, and the visible absence of impurities… If it weren’t a counterfeit made with some special technique, there was only one explanation.

“An exceptional… Fifth-tier Light Element Magic Crystal? The entire bag?! Wait, could this be the legendary Glorious Source Crystal mined from the Glorious Forest in the Extreme South Wasteland…? But how can there be so many?!”

“Uh-huh.”

Dismissing her glowing blade, Ella held the seemingly not heavy but incredibly burdensome bag against her chest, her sapphire-like eyes reflecting the bright light emanated by the bag of crystals, directing her puzzled gaze at the White Fox girl before her.

“Miss Xī, what do you mean by this?”

However, seemingly surprised by this, Miss White Fox tilted her head and met her gaze.

“You can see straight through my identity. Can you not guess the purpose of this bag of crystals?”

“…Please, just say it directly.”

Seeing the other party’s overly cautious demeanor, the White Fox girl could only shake her head helplessly.

“Alright then, Ella Light, you’re quite interesting. I’m very fond of the research you’re conducting… So, I want to invest in you! In other words, what you need most now is financial support and backing from a strong person, right?”

Following the White Fox girl’s pointed gaze, Ella turned to survey the messy research room, then turned back with disbelief.

“You want to help me with my research? Do you really understand what this topic means for the Holy Empire and the Church? To be honest, if it weren’t for the leverage of being a member of the Light Tribe that deterred certain people, I’d probably have died from some ‘accident’ a long time ago. Faith Magic… is the lifeblood of the Church of the Goddess.”

Glancing at the entire bag of shimmering high-quality magic crystals in her hands, even though she hesitated, Ella seemed to decide to be honest.

“Xī, I know you’re mysterious and possess extraordinary strength, but no matter how powerful one’s personal abilities are, they still can’t contend with an entire nation, especially the world’s number one religion with followers spread across every corner; it would limit your movements severely.”

“I’ve heard you have a good relationship with the Saint of Bright Light and a high reputation among the public. Have you considered what would happen if the Saintess, or the multitude of believers, discovered that you funded my investigation into Faith Magic?”

Sighing, the Light Tribe girl resealed the magic crystal bag and reached out over the corroded, stained laboratory table to return it.

“Thank you for wanting to help me. Even if you might have ulterior motives, you’re still the first person to openly support and recognize my research. I’m genuinely pleased… but because of that, I can’t put you in danger, and the value of this bag of magic crystals is too high. Please take it back.”

“…~”

However, Miss White Fox still maintained her casual sitting position, refusing to take back the precious treasure Ella offered.

Through the mask, Ella couldn’t see her expression; the two gazes met in the air for a long time. Just as the Light Tribe girl was about to frown and say something more—

That mysterious White Fox girl suddenly clapped her hands, her tone regaining a playful and joyful note.

“Good, good! Even in such circumstances, you haven’t let wealth cloud your conscience and self-awareness, and you’ve maintained enough clarity of logic and mind—it’s truly remarkable. I’m growing fonder of you, Miss Ella.”

Saying this, Ella only felt her hand lighten as that bag filled with high-quality magic crystals abruptly vanished without warning and returned to Miss White Fox’s hand.

“Ah…”

Just as the girl was awed by the mysterious means of the other party and felt a bit regretful and helpless over her earlier refusal…

Xī took out another splendid golden magic crystal from that bag and casually tossed it toward Ella again.

“?!”

She hurriedly fumbled to catch it, feeling more confused and bewildered.

But before Ella could say anything, the mysterious girl named Xī chuckled softly.

“The value of a single exceptional fifth-tier magic crystal can pave your research’s path, but an entire bag? It would only bring disaster to you! I’m glad you recognized this point clearly.”

“So from now on, I’ve decided to work with you, to become your hidden boss and supporter. Go ahead and do your research—I’ll help you find the truth and knowledge you seek, of course, you must share that with me; that’s my only condition, okay?”

“Ah? No, did you even understand what I meant? This will bring you…”

However, this time, Miss White Fox actively interrupted Ella’s advice with a smile.

“Don’t worry, I’m just your hidden boss; I won’t go out promoting anything loudly. Besides… even if I were to be found out, what would it matter?”

“It’s just the Church of the Goddess; it’s not enough to make me cautious in my actions. The so-called public opinion is something entirely trivial—besides, do you really think what we’re doing now poses a threat to this nation?”

“I don’t think so!”

   

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